Western Chasis Econmy Kit

[Sixball]

88-98 Chevy / GMC C1500 Lowering Kit - 3" Front / 5" Rear, Economy

I saw this on a Black Friday add for $323.


Has anyone used it? Any Feedback?


Thanks

[Sixball]

Originally Posted by Sixball

88-98 Chevy / GMC C1500 Lowering Kit - 3" Front / 5" Rear, Economy

I saw this on a Black Friday add for $323.


Has anyone used it?



I took the bed off my 94 and found out it already has been dropped 2 inches in the rear with rear shackles. This seems like a good deal. Anyone have experience with it?




Thanks

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[Palf70Step]

I have never used that one. Normally when I lower front, I prefer the drop spindles to keep full spring/shock travel. Hopefully some others will chime in.

With shackles on there that will be a big drop (7ish inches) with the flip kit.

[Sixball]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

I have never used that one. Normally when I lower front, I prefer the drop spindles to keep full spring/shock travel. Hopefully some others will chime in.

With shackles on there that will be a big drop (7ish inches) with the flip kit.

I’m going to put stock shckles on. I can’t go 7 inches. This kit doesn’t come with a c notch kit. Will it be necessary for 5 inches? It’s not a daily driver.

Thanks
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[Stormin08]

the front 3" coil is going to be stiff..the rear is a flip kit and 5" is about the max for no notch ( i wouldnt).

western has been around for years (iirc), but they are budget for a reason.

you should add a notch, SHOCKS of course.

[Sixball]

I spoke with a Rep from Western. I will notch it. I need to find the stock length shackles and install them. I don't understand why they are saying 5 inches and all other flip kits say 6 inches? I think I will just piece together my own "kit" and get spindles and not springs. So with spindles I can use stock springs? I plan on changing all 4 shocks too. I put a 454 in this truck, so I need to get decent u bolts and hardware.

[Tom]

6" in rear needs a notch no questions asked. I don't know what the actual drop is but my western chassis flip kit claims 6" and there is no way to run without the notch unless you like to bottem out, a lot.
3" springs in front is normal as you can't get 3" spindles like 73-87's. I use spindles and springs for 5" total. The springs ride as good if not better then stock so not sure what stormin is talking about, I have 12yrs and about 120,000miles on my setup now.
Yes, you can use oem springs with lowering spindles, that's kinda the point of spindles.

[Stormin08]

generally a coil of that drop has an increased spring rate....hence the stiffer ride.

i havent had coils that low for over 10 yrs now....been on air, or in lifted 4x4's.

i prefer as much drop as possible from static parts...thats all.

[Sixball]

I pulled the trigger and bought the Belltech 6605 rear flip kit today. So I’ll be C notching the rear. I also bought stock shackles since I have 2 inch drop shackles already installed. So I’ll drop 6 inches in the rear.

So what about welding the C notch in? Opinions? I weld quite a bit and have a welder in my garage.
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[Stormin08]

i welded mine....just make sure the frame is adequately supported. the rear section will drop or the mid section will buckle some.

[Tom]

Originally Posted by Stormin08

i prefer as much drop as possible from static parts...thats all.

Me too, for sure. My 78 has 3" spindles and 2" coils. Would have done the same if they made it for the 98. As for welding the notch, absolutely. Mine's been bolted all these years with tons of big loads and I still think about welding it from time to time, I just don't have a welder.

[Sixball]

So with 15 inch steel Rallys, I didn’t think I could go with spindles?
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[EVRLET]

You can go with spindles, but you’ll have to remove a portion of the lip on the front of the lower control arm. I had 15” wheels at one time and used belltech spindles. I can take a picture tomorrow to show you what I’m talking about.

This is what it looks like now with 17”. This is a 4/8 drop. All belltech components, except the notch. I have an under bed notch which is deeper than a c notch but not tall enough where you have to cut the bed. Basically the biggest notch you can get without cutting the bed floor.

[EVRLET]

You can see in this picture how I cut a portion of the lip off. You’ll know how much to cut by turning the wheel all the way each way and seeing where the rim hits the arm.

[Tom]

Heck even my 17"s with belltech 2" spindles required notching the lip.
My 78 with 3" spindles and 15" rims did not need notching.

[Sixball]

I went with the 3 inch lowering coils. Thanks for all the input. I’m in the middle of the install this week (c notch) the front drop will have to wait a few weeks, I’m doing body and interior work after the notch.
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[Sixball]

I got the flip kit installed. I ran out of time this week on notching it. It’s a Winter project so I’m in no hurry. Will 3/6 be level? Or do I need to try to sqeeze another inch out of the front? Any tricks?
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[Tom]

3/6 will have the rear an inch lower then the front.